The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Division arrested Paul David Hudson on Thursday for criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

According to the ECSO, Hudson was communicating with what he believed to be a minor child, at which time he made plans to meet the child for the purpose of sex. When Hudson arrived in Effingham County, he was approached by deputies and placed under arrest. He is currently in the Effingham County Jail with no bond.

“The Effingham County Sheriff’s Department notified me Thursday evening, after 9 p.m., that they had arrested Paul Hudson,” said Bulloch County School Superintendent Charles Wilson. “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by this information. His alleged actions are not in keeping with the core values we expect all of adults and students in our district.”

Hudson has been employed by the Bulloch County Board of Education since 1999. He served as Portal Elementary’s assistant principal from 1999-2001, and became principal in 2001.

“Our school district has never received any complaints of this nature about Mr. Hudson from the public, parents or students,” Wilson said. “He has never been reprimanded by our school system for this type of behavior. Mr. Hudson and all of our employees submit to full state and federal criminal background checks prior to employment and then every five years thereafter. Mr. Hudson’s background checks have never revealed criminal behavior. His last background check was in February 2012.”

Wilson said Hudson was “immediately suspended from all of his duties pending completion of legal proceedings.”

Wilson met with the Portal Elementary School faculty and staff Friday morning and appointed the school’s assistant principal, Laurie Mascolo, as the acting principal to lead the school.

“Our district personnel will offer counseling and support to the students, faculty and staff at the school,” he said. “I will reach out to parents and the Portal Elementary family and work with them to ensure we are ready to meet and prepare their children for success from day one and beyond.”

Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie created the Internet Crimes Against Children Division, which is now a part of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Task Force, to send a clear message that individuals who seek to exploit children will not be tolerated in Effingham County, according to the ECSO.

Holli Deal Saxon of the Statesboro Herald contributed to this report.